Small Oxfordshire village declares symbolic independence over asylum centre plan

In the 350-strong village of Piddington, Oxfordshire, residents voted 285 of 312 ballots to declare the area the 'Principality of Piddington' in a non-binding referendum protesting plans to house more than 1,200 single adult male asylum seekers at a former military site for at least 10 years; the government says the site will go ahead to reduce reliance on hotels, while Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would consider the concerns.